Sunday, March 4 & 12, 2012
Week 21 & 22 (note change in reading schedule)
Bible Text: Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19
Key Verse: Luke 23:42-43, 46
Matthew 27:1-2 handed him over to Pilate the governor: the chief priests and elders bring Jesus to Pontius Pilate for his second trial.
Matthew 27:3-10 Judas...repented...hanged himself: compare this with the story in Acts 1:15-20. Matthew's story fits the prophecy, but Matthew also puts the prophecy together out of various pieces to fit his story; thirty pieces of silver cast into the treasury in the temple and buying a field.
Matthew 27:11-26 Jesus stood before the governor: the "king of the Jews" represents a Roman, political perspective, not an Israelite one. Two things are stressed here; first, Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent. Second, Pilate, with the power of Rome behind him, is intimidated by a small crowd, who demand that Pilate release a prisoner, supposedly according to the custom of the day.
Matthew 27:34-44 when they had crucified him: Matthew follows Mark in telling the story of Jesus' death in the framework of Psalm 22. References to that psalm include the mockery. Ironically, in the Psalm and here, the mockers say what is true about Jesus. :King of the Jews" would have been a Roman political title. Jews would speak of Messiah as the "King of Israel".
Mark 15: 1-15 council: Pilate was the highest ranking Roman official, known as a prefect, in charge of Judea 26-36 c.e. He is interested in Jesus' possible political role, "King of the Jews", rather than a religious role, although for the Jews the Messiah's main role was a king.
Mark 15:7 Barabbas: this is Aramaic name meaning "son of the father". This scene raises the question of whether or not the true Son of God is one with a political agenda, like Barabbas, who is willing to use violence against Roman oppression.
Mark 15:26 The King of the Jews: note that while the Romans intend this inscription to be a warning to anyone else who might try to be "King of the Jews", it also displays the truth that this is how Jesus reigns.
Mark 15:46 linen cloth: the burial practice at the time was to wrap the body in linen cloth, treat it with spices, and place it in a cave-like tomb. After a year, when the body had decomposed, the bones would be gathered, placed in a container, and left in the tomb.
Luke 23:1-3 are you the King of the Jews?: Pilate asks this question, and answers it in each of the four Gospels but only Luke provides information on what led up to it. The authorities handing Jesus over explain that he is a troublemaker. Their accusations before Pilate are not the same as the case heard by the Jewish Council, but Pilate would not have understood those charges or cared about them.
Luke 23:31 if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?: although local officials handed Jesus over to the Roman authorities, only Rome had the authority to crucify someone. the power to torture people to death in public allowed Rome to demonstrate, when necessary, that it had no moral limits on what it would do to maintain peace. The original readers of Luke would have witnessed Rome's response to the First Jewish Revolt in 55-70 c.e. Some sources say that one million Jews were killed. Jerusalem was besieged and defeated, and the temple was burned and leveled.
Luke 23:47 certainly this man was innocent: the word was translated here as "innocent" is translated elsewhere in Luke as "righteous", referring to the actions of people who faithfully observed God's teachings. The centurion's announcement shows that Jesus held his faith to the last.
John 19:9 where are you from?: Pilate's question is central for this Gospel. Knowing where Jesus is from is essential for believing who he is.
John 19:14 day of preparation: Jesus dies on the first day of Passover in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In John, however, Jesus dies on the Day of Preparation for Passover, at the same time the sacrificial lambs for the Passover meal are being slaughtered.
John 19:17 carrying the cross by himself: Jesus carried only the horizontal bar of the cross. The upright posts would have already been at the crucifixion site. In John, Jesus carries the cross alone. In the other Gospels, Simon of Cyrene is made to carry it for him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer & adoration:
Read through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary content:
Focus on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a Lutheran perspective:
Reflect on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for History:
Reflect on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch up on missed reading time
Saturday & Sunday: Day of Rest
For More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection Questions" link.
